Purple

A poem to encourage thinking for yourself.

What color is the sky?
*Blue.
Is it, really?
*Yes.
No it's not. The sky is purple.
*No, it's blue.
Why do you say it's blue?
*Because it is.
Because you say it is or because someone else says it is?
*Just because it is.
What color is the grass?
*Green.
Are you sure?
*Yes.
Nope -- it's pink.
*It isn't -- it's green.
Why?
*Because.
Because you know it's green or because you've been told it's green?
*Just because.
What color is dirt?
*Brown.
Positive?
*Yes.
Wrong again -- it's red.
*It's brown.
Because you know it is or because someone else thinks they know it is?
*Because...it just is.
So -- what color is the sky?
*I don't know.
Didn't you just say it was blue?
*I wouldn't argue with you if you said the sky was magenta.
The sky is purple.

Author's Note

This was written pretty quick during an Algebra class. I'm not going to lie and say I'm amazing at poetry. Generally, I hate writing it. But this one my friends said they liked, so I decided to post it.

Reviews

[Susan S.]

This sounds just like my family! The most contrary bunch of people on the planet. I think I even remember this very argument! :)

Seriously, this flows very well. It's the kind of thing I'd love to see in a children's book because the sky is purple sometimes and the grass isn't always green and I swear I've seen black earth. There is a great truth here that children need to know. Experience something, don't just take somebody's word for it. ...Not even if it's that the sky is purple.

[sheila lott]

This flows so well! It reminds me its ok to be different.

[Alex]

This is really good! It was written wonderfully! It reminds me about one story about a teacher and his students. I am definatly favoriting this!